AYURVEDA FOR WINTER AILMENTS

Winter is here and I love everything about it except for cracked and dry skin! With the blow of winter wind people feel dry on their skin and hair. You may also get cracks and tenderness of skin and brittle hair with dry flaky scalp if proper care is not provided. Winter can also alter immunity and cause cold and cough. Here are the top Ayurveda remedies to keep you going this winter season without spoiling your winter fun!

DRY SKIN REMEDIES

YOGHURT AND BUTTERMILK

Yogurt is rich in Zinc and other useful enzymes. Buttermilk contains lactic acid, which has a mild peeling property and hence it helps to clear dry and dull skin in winter. Take equal amount of yogurt and buttermilk. Mix them well and apply all over your body. Keep it for 20 minutes and then wash off with water.

ALOE VERA AND BITTER GOURD

You need 2-3 tablespoons of aloe vera gel and 1 teaspoon of bitter gourd juice. Mix these 2 ingredients in a bowl until there are no lumps left. The gel should be free of clumps and should be easy to spread. Apply this on the face and leave it overnight. Wash off in the morning and you will see a noticeable difference in the facial skin. More remedies for winter skin >>

DRY SCALP AND HAIR REMEDIES

EGG AND OLIVE OIL

Take 2 egg yolks and mix them with (2 drops for face and 2 tablespoons for hair) olive oil. Whip them together to get a stable mixture. Apply it on your face and hair. Keep it for 20 minutes. Wash off with water/shampoo. You can also add amla juice in it for added benefits.

BRAHMI AND SHIKAKAI

Take some shikakai fruits and brahmi powder and boil it in water. Blend it properly and apply on your scalp and hair as a hair mask. Wash or shampoo off after 2 hours. It will not only make your hair soft but also ward off flakes. More winter dry hair remedies >>

CRACKED FEET

BANANAS

Mash a ripe banana into a smooth paste. Apply the banana paste on your clean feet. Let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes so that your skin can absorb the natural nourishment. Wash your feet gently with warm water and then soak your feet in cold water for 5 to 10 minutes. Do this daily for a few weeks to restore soft and smooth heels.

VEGETABLE OIL

The fats in the hydrogenated vegetable oil nourish the skin and heal cracked feet. Start with a clean feet and then apply a layer of vegetable oil on the cracked parts of your feet. Wear a pair of thick socks and leave it on overnight and wash your feet in the morning. More remedies for cracked feet >>

COLD AND COUGH

GINGER

Simmer fresh or dried ginger for 20 minutes; strain and add a touch of honey and a squeeze of lemon, if desired. Incorporate ginger into stir-fries and soups. Ginger also helps with sore throat; it helps loosen mucus thus clearing your throat.

GOLDEN MILK

Milk, when combined with turmeric powder, helps treat coughing as well as other symptoms of a cold, like body aches and a headache. To make this golden milk, follow this recipe. Drink this before bedtime every night until the head cold is no more.

SWOLLEN FEET

CORIANDER SEEDS

Coriander seeds have anti-inflammatory properties that make it a great Ayurveda treatment for swollen feet. Take coriander seeds and add it to water. Let it simmer until the quantity is reduced to half. Drink it everyday until you see positive results.

SESAME OIL MASSAGE

Take some sesame oil on your palms and apply it on the feet. Massage it for 30 minutes with medium pressure and then soak your feet in warm water for additional 10 minutes. Wash off. Repeat 1 once a day until you see positive results.